Hypogonadism - primary, secondary, tertiary... Is there a 4th??

[littleguy289]

So I understand the differences between the 3 types, but I'm wondering if I have kind of a unique situation(?) - my lh and fsh always have tested within the normal ranges, but my T values have always been right at the bottom end of the normal range or below. Anyone have any idea what this could be? None of my docs have ever been able to explain this to me.

 

[bigorse]

I had exactly the same not sure on what its called thougg

 

[big_boy_1]

No 4th hypo AFAIK.

How high are normal LH and FSH?
Bottom of normal range? Mid range? Top of range?

Maybe your testis won't make much test despite high HCG doses.
This is pretty common which explains why doctors use test and not HCG for HRT

 

[littleguy289]

My lh and fsh have always been right near the middle of their normal ranges.

I think I've figured out that I'm partially primary hypo, partially secondary hypo, and I've always had a tendency to be a high converter as well. So what little test my body is actually able to produce, it gets converted to e2 and dht, and bound to shbg too efficiently. I guess that's what I meant by a 4th level of dysfunction.

My doc has me back on trt now, just waiting for the 6 week point so I can get all of these levels checked and go from there. Depending on what that labwork shows, I'm kind of tentatively planning on putting myself on a low dose of an ai and a 5ari for a few weeks then retest just to see if my total and free t go up. At this point I'd bet money that they will.

Not sure what I can do to lower shbg tho? Other than something like winny but I don't have a good source for it nor do I want to be on that year round anyways

 

[Steeldude99]

Not sure what I can do to lower shbg tho? Other than something like winny but I don't have a good source for it nor do I want to be on that year round anyways

Get your doc to prescribe you danazol. This lowers shbg by over 60%. You take it for a couple of weeks, then go off and it will keep shbg down for a couple of months.

You could also take mesterolone (proviron) to lower shbg and increase free test.

If your shbg is normal to normal low you may not want to take danazol as too low shbg can also be bad.